Strawberry, Citrus and Champagne Granita

     From the Harvest restaurant in Pomfret, Conn.

     210 MINUTES

     30 minutes to make

     180 minutes to freeze

     1 cup sugar, divided

     3/4 cup water

     1 1/2 pounds large ripe strawberries

     1 1/2 cups fresh grapefruit juice

     1 1/2 cups dry Champagne

     1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

     1/4 cup Grand Marnier or other orange liqueur

     Combine 3/4 cup sugar and 3/4 cup water in small, heavy saucepan.

     Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves.

     Increase heat and boil 1 minute. Cool. Refrigerate syrup until cold, about 45 minutes. Puree enough strawberries (about 6 large) in blender to yield 1/2 cup puree.

     Transfer strawberry puree to large bowl. Mix grapefruit juice, Champagne, lemon juice and chilled syrup into strawberry puree.

     Pour mixture into 13- by 9- by 2-inch metal baking pan.

     Freeze Champagne mixture until icy at edge of pan, about 55 minutes. Whisk to distribute frozen portions evenly.

     Freeze again until icy at edge of pan and overall texture is slushy, about 40 minutes.

     Whisk to distribute frozen portions evenly. Cover and freeze until mixture is solid, about 3 hours.

     Meanwhile, slice remaining strawberries. Place in large bowl and toss with remaining 1/4 cup sugar and 1/4 cup Grand Marnier. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 30 minutes and up to 3 hours.

     Using fork, scrape granita down length of pan, forming ice flakes. (Granita can be prepared up to 2 days ahead of time.

     Cover and freeze until ready to serve.)

     Divide sliced strawberries equally among 6 wineglasses.

     Top with granita and serve immediately.

     Make 8 servings.

     Per serving: 194 calories; 0 g fat (0 g saturated fat; 0 percent calories from fat); 38 g carbohydrates; 0 mg cholesterol; 2 mg sodium; 1 g protein; 2 g fiber.